Flu strikes Allendale prison; inmates locked down

Sep 2, 2010 4:44:00 PM - thestate.com

A stomach flu sickened 82 inmates at Allendale Correction Institution in Fairfax but the worst appears to be over, a state prison spokesman said Thursday.

During the wave of gastro-intestinal sickness, which began Aug. 25, all 1,232 inmates were locked in their cells to prevent the contagion from spreading. Food and medications were brought to their cells.

The lockdown ended Wednesday for most inmates, but two inmates who still showed symptoms remained in their cells, said spokesman Josh Gelinas.

Symptoms included diarrhea and cramps, he said. The sickness lasted from 48 to 72 hours.

Before taking action, the corrections department consulted with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. DHEC has experts in contagious diseases.